576 A)ialj/sis of Scientific Boohs. 



15. On the Nerves: giving mi Accou7ii of some Experiments oil 

 their Structure and Functions, which lead to a new Arrange 

 ment of the System. £?/ Charles Bell, Esq. 



This paper, consisting of an inquiry into the functions of the 

 nerves of the face, is preceded by some general observations on 

 the nervous system. 



If the views which Mr. Bell has presented in this communica- 

 tion be found to be correct, a very important addition is un» 

 doubtedly made to our knowledge of anatomy; and a part of the 

 system hitherto very imperfectly understood assumes a charac- 

 ter of simplicity and order in contrast not only with the doc- 

 trines which have been taught in our schools, but also with the 

 opinions of the most celebrated foreign anatomists. 



When we speak thus hesitatingly, we allude to the prefatory 

 part of the paper; with regard to the facts and observations in 

 the body of it, there can be but one opinion — they are quite 

 new to us, and lead to the knowledge of phenomena impor- 

 tant both in theory and practice. 



Mr. Bell's leading principle of arrangement for the nerves of 

 \}a& frame of the body, is to divide them into two systems ; one 

 for the supply of common sensibility and the power of loco- 

 motion, to be found in all animals which have nerves, even 

 in those very low in the scale of existence — while the pre- 

 sence of the other system depends on the complication of 

 the structure of the animal, being complex in proportion to 

 the number of the organs of the animal economy, and to the 

 variety of functions which those organs perform. When an 

 animal has no heart or concentrate organ of respiration, there will 

 be none of those nerves found, which in the higher classes give so 

 much intricacy to the whole system ; but when these organs are 

 present, then new nerves are bestowed upon the animal, and 

 these will be simple or complicated, according as the relations 

 of the superadded organs are few or many. For example, all 

 animals that have a heart, lungs, and stomach, have a nerve ap- 

 propriated to these organs, but this nerve v.'ill be found simple 

 or otherwise, according to the functions performed by the viscera. 

 If an animal merely breathes, the nerve will be simple in its 

 distribution and in its connexions ; but if the office of the lungs 

 be multiplied, if they be employed in producing the natural 

 cries of animals, or combine with the organs of the voice so as 

 to produce articulate language, or with the organs of the face, 

 so as to express emotions, then the simple respiratory nerve 

 will become complicated, forming an intricate system of nerves 

 for the combination of many remote parts in the acts of breath- 

 ing, coughing, sneezing, hiccoughing, vomiting, ^'c. 



This view, owing to its simplicity, is seducing enough, but its 

 truth must be put to the test. The author brings the question 



